This blog was created for Niles Animal Hospital & Bird Medical Center by Peter S. Sakas DVM in an effort to provide information & discussion about animal related issues. It may move into some eccentric directions on occasion if the mood strikes me as I get more comfortable in this form of communication. I am open to suggestions & comments about the blog. Also view our hospital website www.nilesanimalhospital.com or Facebook page Niles Animal Hospital and Bird Medical Center.

Monday, May 7, 2012

Coyote Facts / How to Protect Your Pets from Coyote Attack

Due to the increased reports of coyote attacks in our area, I thought it wouldbe a good idea to discuss some details about coyotes, so you would a better understanding of them in order to protect your pets. I found a good synopsis online from the Kane County Animal Control Department and felt it was worth sharing. Following the article I am reprinting the tips about protecting your pets from coyotes, originally from an article in the Northbrook Patch.

Coyote Facts

KANE COUNTY ANIMAL CONTROL DEPARTMENT (630)-232-3555

AppearanceThe coyote resembles a small German shepherd dog, but carries its tail belowthe level of the back rather than curved upward. Its upper body is typicallylight gray to dull yellow, but can vary from mostly black to nearly all gray orwhite. Course outer hairs are usually tipped with black. The underparts arewhitish, cream colored or pinkish yellow. A coyote's muzzle is long andnarrow; its ears are erect and pointed. The average length of an adult is 44 to54 inches, including a 15- to 17-inch tail. Weights measured during fall andwinter vary from 22 to 42 pounds.

Distribution & AbundanceCoyotes are common throughout Illinois. They're most abundant in thesouthern, southeastern and west-central parts of the state. They're leastabundant in the northern two to three tiers of counties. Coyotes were rare inIllinois for a long time after settlement of the state, but their numbersincreased dramatically during the 1970s and early 1980s.

HabitatCoyotes occur in nearly all types of habitat, including urban and suburbanareas. They are most abundant in areas with a mixture of farmland, woodlandand grassland.

HabitsA coyote lives in a large area, often 20 to 30 miles in diameter. Severalcoyotes may share this area. A pack of coyotes consists of an extendedfamily that maintains a strict territory. Members of one pack rarely ventureinto the territory of another.

Some coyotes do not belong to packs. These solitary coyotes tend to havelarger home ranges than pack coyotes and are less respectful of packboundaries. They sometimes join a pack when one of the members leaves ordies.

Coyotes communicate with a variety of barks, yips and howls. They alsomark areas with urine, feces or gland secretions, much like domestic dogs.Body language plays an important role in the family social structure and inmeetings between strangers. Facial expressions and body gestures can signala coyote's aggressive, submissive or neutral intentions.

Coyotes prefer semi-open country and like to travel on ridges or old trails.They are most active from dusk until the early morning hours, but aresometimes seen at other times of the day. They can run up to 43 miles perhour for short distances. Water is rarely a barrier because coyotes swim well.Few coyotes live past 3 to 4 years of age. The oldest coyote found in a studyconducted in Illinois during 1996 to 1997 was 13 years old.

FoodsCoyotes are Illinois' largest wild predator. Most of their diet consists ofanimal matter, but they often eat insects, fruits or berries. Rabbits and miceare important food items in Illinois and other Midwestern states.

ReproductionA few females breed at one year of age, but most mature in their second year.Breeding peaks in late February or early March. A female typically mates fortwo to five days during this period. The gestation (pregnancy) period is 58 to63 days. Pups are born during late April or May in a den under a hollow tree,log, brush pile, or even an abandoned building. More often, coyotes raisetheir young in a remodeled burrow dug originally by a fox, badger, orwoodchuck. Litters of 2 to 19 pups have been documented, but four to nine isthe norm. The pups are blind and helpless at birth and are covered withbrownish-gray woolly fur. Their eyes open between 8 and 14 days of age.The young first come out of the den when they're about 21 days old but don'tremain outside for long periods until they are 5 or 6 weeks of age.

Both parents care for the young, especially after they're weaned. Huntingshort distances from the den (usually 3 to 5 miles), the parents kill and eatwhat they catch, then regurgitate it for the pups when they return. The pupsbegin to learn to hunt for themselves when they are 8 to 12 weeks old. Thefamily usually moves away from the den about this time, and often breaks upin late summer or early fall. After they leave their parents, some young maymove up to 120 miles away in search of their own living space.

ConservationCoyotes are valuable members of the wildlife community and do more goodthan harm where humans are concerned. However, they occasionally killlivestock, poultry, domestic cats and small dogs, especially where coyoteslive in large numbers or in close association with people. Most problemscaused by coyotes can be solved by targeting and removing specific coyotesresponsible.

Coyotes are harvested during regulated hunting and trapping seasons. Anaverage of 7,000 coyotes is harvested each year in Illinois. About 75 percentof these are taken by hunters; 25 percent by trappers. The trapping season isrestricted to the fall and winter months, while the hunting season is open year-round. A liberal hunting season allows landowners to remove problemanimals without having to obtain a special permit. Biologists monitor thepopulation to ensure that hunting and trapping do not negatively impact thepopulation.

6 comments:

Recent numbers show that 63% of US households own a pet - that's 71.1 million homes and families with dogs, cats, iguanas, parakeets, fish, ferrets, potbellied pigs, etc, etc., Taking care of a pet is tougher than taking care of an infant, since our pets can't speak. Hence, making sure your pet is safe and happy when you leave it alone at home should be a priority for all pet owners. One of the simplest ways of watching over a pet remotely is by using some sort of webcam software like GotoCamera that is easily available online these days. Thanks to technology and some very smart people who are working on making things easier for us, you can now use your basic webcam to monitor your pets while you're away from them.

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